Self Tanning 101: How to Tan Like A Bronze Goddess

Summer’s almost here, and on our casual days we’ll be trading in pants and slacks (slacks, heh, love that word) for cute shorts and pretty skirts.  Have you considered taking that extra step and slapping a faux glow on those lovely stems of yours?  You definitely should!  Not only will you look healthier and more fit (bonus!) with a faux glow, a little color will help to hide imperfections like spider and varicose veins.  Trust me, I know--because I’m an avid user of the stuff.
 
Feel a bit intimidated by the idea of self tanning?  Don’t be.  Formulas have improved tremendously over the years (QT, anyone?) and are easier to use than ever.  Even the scent of the formulas have changed for the better!  Here are a few easy-peasy steps to take to help get your glow on.

Self Tanning 101: How to Tan Like A Bronze Goddess

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The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea™ Exfoliating Body Scrub

First things first--you need to shower and exfoliate.  Use a good exfoliator and a loofah to slough off dead and flaky skin.  This will help to avoid any patchy, streaky color later.  Pay extra attention to areas of your body that are prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees and ankles.  For me, it's my toes!

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Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer with Coconut Oil

Next, moisturize.  I recommend using an in-shower moisturizer with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil or almond oil (such as Nivea In Shower Nourising Body Lotion).  Another option would be a wet skin moisturizer, which you apply straight out of the shower.  This is the one I use because it's easy and it smells fantastic.

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St. Tropez Tan Applicator Mitt

Apply self tanner when your skin is completely dry.  This will help to avoid those dreaded streaks.  Note:  being nervous about applying color and only using a little on a large area will ALSO lead to streaking, so while I don't suggest you be generous, I also don't recommend being stingy with the color, either.  
 
Use a mitt to apply color, never use your bare hands. This was one of the first mistakes I made when fake baking, oh lawd.  The color stains so fast and is near impossible to wash off palms!  Also, apply color butt naked, or at least near naked.  I do leave my panties on when I fake bake, but otherwise I’m completely nude.  Is that TMI?  Anyway, my point is you don't want this schmutz getting on your nice clothes, because although it's never happened to me, it can stain.

Tip/Trick:   Your tan too deep?  Apply baby oil for ten minutes, then exfoliate with a damp wash cloth before rinsing off.  It should help to fade the color.
 
Make sure to color just what you want to cover, there's no need to go wongo with the product.  For example, nobody sees my belly, back or butt like, ever, so I don’t bother self-tanning those areas.  I generally stick to my legs, arms, shoulders, chest and face.

Top Row:
Tarte Brazilliance PLUS + Self-Tanner with Mitt, $39
​Saint Tropez Classic Self Tan Starter Kit, $25
St. Moritz Advanced Pro Exfoliating Skin Primer, $13

​Bottom Row:
Fake Bake Platinum Face Tanner with Apple Stem Cell Anti-Aging, $31
Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun (Deep Bronze), $11.99
Nivea Sun Kissed Radiance Gradual Tanner & Body Lotion, $6.99

My best suggestion when it comes to actual product is to use a mousse or foam formulation with color.  Mousses and foams tend to go on easily and dry quickly, which is primo when it comes to fake baking.  And using a formulation with color helps to see just where and how the color being applied.  Use upward, circular motions when applying, and make sure the entire area is completely covered in self tanner.  Don’t be scared to go back and rebuff if you miss a spot or think an area is too patchy.  Remember, this is temporary color--anything you apply--wrong or right--will fade within a few days.

If you want to self tan your face (I do), use a formulation specific for that area.  The pH on your face is higher and your tan may develop darker.  Formulations made specifically for the face will have less DHA (the active ingredient in self-tanners) than body formulations.  Apply much like you would a body formulation, using upward, circular motions.
 
Tip/Trick:  No facial tanner?  Here’s what I do:  Dilute your body formula with facial moisturizer and apply!

oh no baby, what is you doin'?

Wait until your self tanner is completely dry before getting dressed, because as I mentioned, it could stain your clothes.   I generally apply my color after a shower and before bed, so that I can putter around my bedroom ½ naked while drying.  Once dry, I’ll put on a pair of old or dark colored pajamas and let the color develop while I'm asleep. 

Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer

Don’t want to commit to a self tanner?  Test the waters with a wash-off tanner, such as Sally Hansen Airbrushed Legs Tanning Mousse.  It’ll bronze your skin instantly and washes right off with soap and water.  There’s also a Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer version that you can apply straight out of the shower that will build a gradual glow, but I can’t attest to its efficacy because I’ve never used it.
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NYX Matte Bronzer Pressed Powder

Another option for smaller areas (such as your decolletage) is to apply a bronzing powder.  You can sculpt collar bones and contour cleavage and cheekbones with a loose or pressed bronzer.  This NYX Matte Bronzer is available in five different shades.

Just look how freakin' happy her faux glow has made her!

As you can see, self tanning is relatively easy to do with a fantastic payoff, and it doesn't take hours at the beach risking skin cancer, either.  Just follow these easy steps and you'll get glowing in no time!